The FitnessASSIST Harpenden Caliper

THE HARPENDEN SKINFOLD CALIPER by Fitness ASSIST

CONTENTS

1. BODY COMPOSITION - ITS EVALUATION AND MEANING

2. SETTING AND USING THE HARPENDEN SKINFOLD CALIPER

2.1. CARE AND USE
2.2. SETTING THE CALIPER

3. TAKING THE SKINFOLD MEASUREMENTS

3.1. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
3.2. CORRECT TECHNIQUE

4. SITE SELECTION
4.1. THE 4 SITE SYSTEM FOR MALE AND FEMALE SUBJECTS
4.2. THE 3 SITE SYSTEM FOR MALE SUBJECTS
4.3. THE 3 SITE SYSTEM FOR FEMALE SUBJECTS

5. MAXIMUM DESIRABLE FAT PERCENTAGE - PREFERRED LEVELS AND NORMALITY

5.1. MALE SUBJECTS
5.2. FEMALE SUBJECTS

6. LIMIT OF LIABILITY

7. TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON THE HARPENDEN SKINFOLD CALIPER

8. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

9. BIBLIOGRAPAHY

10. Look up tables for the 4 site system

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 The FitnessASSIST Harpenden Caliper

Thank you for purchasing our product. We are confident that you have chosen one of the most up to date and versatile
Skinfold Calipers on the market. Used correctly it will give good service and reliable results for many years and, so that
optimum results are obtained, you should read this manual thoroughly even if experienced in the use of this type of
equipment. The Harpenden Skinfold Caliper is CE marked in compliance with the Medical Devises Directive 93/42/EEC for a
Class 1 Device with Measuring.

The carry case should contain one Harpenden SkinfoId Caliper Instrument and one copy of this handbook.

1 BODY COMPOSITION - EVALUATION AND MEANING

The most accurate estimation of body composition is achieved by use of the underwater or hydrostatic weighing technique.
Obviously, this method places severe restrictions on both practicality and convenience, and the alternative basis of skinfold
thickness measurements is therefore used in all but the most stringent of requirements. The use of skinfold calipers in the
performance of skinfold thickness measurements (from which are derived the estimates of body fat) has been well
established and documented over the last 40 years, references to which can be found in the Bibliography section of this
manual. These thickness measurements do not measure overall body fat mass or its percentage directly but rely on validated
equations that describe the relationship between measures of skinfold fat as well as other body dimensions and the
measured body density. Body fat percentage is determined from the estimate of body density. Various experimenters have
put forward equations that are used with either skinfold thickness alone or in conjunction with other measurements such as
body circumference or limb lengths. Two of the most common sets of equations used are attributable to Durnin & Wormersley
(skinfolds alone), and to Jackson & Pollock (skinfolds and body measurements). The results obtained from the equations
(that of body fat density) are subsequently used in the Sin equation to calculate the body fat. Tables are included that show
the fat percentage based on the Durnin & Wormersley system. Values are shown for both males and females across the
whole age range based on the sum of 4 skinfold measurements, and the results shown for each 2 millimetre increment of
skinfold thickness. Skinfold measurements, when properly taken, correlate very highly (0.83 to 0.89) with hydrostatic
weighing, with a standard error of only about 3 or 4%. In comparison, the correlation of height and weight charts is much
lower at about 0.60. The explanation of the use of skinfold thickness measurement in the derivation of body fat data has bean
simplified enormously, and can never detract from the tremendous volume of research and scientific ability in the fields of
both nutrition and fitness. We all owe much respect and our considerable thanks to the specialists responsible for guiding us
towards a healthier life worldwide.

2 SETTING AND USING THE HARPENDEN SKINFOLD CALIPER

2.1 CAREAND USE

a) Ensure that your Caliper are clean and open freely and smoothly. Always clean the Caliper before and after use on a test
subject.
b) Open the Caliper to approximately 20mm and allow it to close several times.
c) Check for repeatability of the zero reading within one division (0.2mm)
d) Do not open and shut the Caliper rapidly or allow the Caliper to snap shut. This can cause damage to the Indicator
mechanism.
e) When taking measurements, do not allow the Caliper to snap shut onto the test subject as this could cause discomfort.

2.2 SETTING THE CALIPER

a) To re-set the Dial indicator to zero, rotate the Bezel to the appropriate position.
b) The Caliper is now ready for use.
c) To calibrate the Harpenden Skinnfold Caliper a special Calibration Kit can be purchased.

3 THE SKINFOLD MEASUREMENT PROCESS

The accuracy of measurement is, as one would expect, dependant upon the accuracy of the equipment being used, the
correct selection and location of the skinfold sites, the proper technique in taking the measurements and the experience of
the user.

3.1 EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

A Tape Measure To assist in locating the correct site. Skinfold Caliper Accurately calibrated and with a constant spring
pressure of 10 g/mm2 throughout its entire range. Your Harpenden Caliper has been calibrated to this performance prior to
dispatch from the factory.

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 The FitnessASSIST Harpenden Caliper
3.2 CORRECT TECHNIQUE
Essential for accurate and repeatable tests, specific guidelines for taking skinfold measurements have been established.
Following a standard method of assessment helps ensure accuracy and repeatability on future testing.
a) Measurement should be taken on healthy, undamaged and uninfected dry skin. Moist skin is harder to grasp and can
influence the measurement. Do not use the Caliper on broken or infected skin.
b) Instruct the test subject to keep the muscles relaxed during the test.
c) Take all measurements on the right side of the body. An exception might be where a deformity or missing limb would
necessitate using the left side.
d) Mark the skinfold site using a pen with water soluble ink. Use a tape measure to accurately find the mid-points.
e) The skinfold should be firmly grasped by the thumb and index finger, using the pads at the tip of the thumb and
finger. Gently pull the skinfold away from the body.
f) The Caliper should be placed perpendicular to the fold, on the site marked, dialup, at approximately 1cm below the
finger and thumb. While maintaining the grasp of the skinfold, allow the Caliper to be released so that full tension is
placed on the skinfold. The dial should be read to the nearest 0.50mm, 1 to 2 seconds after the grip has been fully
released.
g) The Caliper should not be placed too close to the body or too far away on the tip of the skinfold. Try to visualise the
location of a true double fold of skin thickness, and place the Caliper there.
h) A minimum of two measurements should be taken at each site. If repeated tests vary by more than 1 mm, repeat the
measurement. If consecutive measurements become increasingly smaller, the fat is being compressed. Go to
another site and come back a little later and recheck the problem site.
i) The final value recorded should be the average of the two that seems best to represent the skinfold fat site.
j) Record each skinfold as you measure it. It is easy to forget the first measurement if you try to keep it all in your head.
k) Experience is necessary to grasp the same size skinfold in the same location consistently. Practice these techniques
until you get consistent results.

4 SITE SELECTION

Site selection is very important and frequently a source of error in skinfold testing. The sites selected must match the
particular protocol being used. There are two protocols usually involved, the 4-site system being the most commonly
used. This system is the same for male and female subjects and has been used as the basis for the correlations in this
manual. The second system uses 3 sites, the sites differing for either male or female subjects, and are used in conjunction
with the Body Density formulae (Jackson & Pollock) see pages 4 -5 of the manual.

4.1 THE 4 SITE SYSTEM FOR MALE AND FEAMLE SUBJECTS

1 SITE 1 BICEPS
The anterior surface of the biceps midway
between the anterior fold and the
antecubital fossa.
2 SITE 2 TRICEPS
A Vertical fold on the posterior midline of
the upper arm, over the triceps muscle,
halfway between the acrosion process
(bony process on top of the shoulder) and
olecranon process (bony process on
elbow). The elbow should be extended and
the arm relaxed.
3 SITE 3 SUBSCAPULAR
The fold is taken on the diagonal line
coming from the vertebral border to
between 1 and 2cm from the inferior angle
of the scapulae. (A diagonal fold about 1 to
2cm below the point of the shoulder blade
and 1-2cm toward the arm).
4 SITE 4 SUPRAILIAC
A diagonal fold above the crest of the ilium
at the spot where an imaginary line would
come down from the anterior auxiliary line
just above the hipbone and 2-3cm forward.

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 The FitnessASSIST Harpenden Caliper
To calculate % Body Fat using LINEAR REGRESSION EQUATIONS of DURNIN & WORMERSLEY

BODY DENSITY = C[M(LOG 10 SUM OF ALL FOUR SKINFOLDS)]

MALE 17-19 YRS 20-29 YRS 30-39YRS 40-49 YRS 50+ YRS
C 1.1620 11631 1.1422 1.1620 1.1715
M 0.0630 0.0632 0.0544 0.0700 0.0779

FEMALE 16-19 YRS 20-29 YRS 30-39YRS 40-49 YRS 50+ YRS
C 1.1549 1.1599 1.1423 1.1333 1.1339
M 0.0678 0.0717 0.0632 0.0612 0.0645

THE SIRI EQUATION FAT% = [(4.95/BD) -4.5] x100 Alternatively use the look up tables on page 7

4.2 THE 3 SITE SYSTEM FOR MALE SUBJECTS

1 SITE 1 CHEST (JUXTA-NIPPLES) A diagonal fold taken one half of the distance
between the anterior auxiliary line and the nipple. (The anterior auxiliary line is the
crease where the top of the arm, when hanging down, meets the chest).
2 SITE 2 ABDOMINAL The vertical fold taken at the lateral distance of approximately
2cm from the umbilicus (2cm to the side of the umbilicus).
3 SITE 3 THIGH A vertical fold on the anterior aspect of the thigh, midway between the
hip and knee joints (on the front of the thigh halfway between the hip joint, where the leg
bends when the knee is lifted, and the middle of the knee cap). The leg should be
straight and relaxed.

Using BODY DENSITY EQUATIONS (JACKSON & POLLOCK) to calculate % Body fat

MALE BD = 1.0990750 - 0.0008209 (X2) + 0.0000026 (X2)2 - 0.0002017 (X3) - 0.005675 (X4) + 0.018586 (X5)
Where
X2 = sum of the chest, abdomen and thigh skinfolds in mm
X3 = age in years
X4 = waist circumference in cm
X5 = forearm circumference in cm
Calculate the Male % Body Fat using THE SIRI EQUATION

FAT% = [(4.95/BD) -4.5] x100

4.3 THE 3 SITE SYSTEM FOR FEMALE SUBJECTS

1 SITE 1 TRICEPS A Vertical fold on the posterior

midline of the upper arm, over the triceps muscle,
halfway between the acrosion process (bony process
on top of the shoulder) and olecranon process (bony
process on elbow). The elbow should be extended and
the arm relaxed.
2 SITE 2 SUPRAILIAC A diagonal fold above the crest
of the ilium at the spot where an imaginary line would
come down from the anterior auxiliary line just above
the hipbone and 2-3cm forward.
3 SITE 3 THIGH A vertical fold on the anterior aspect of
the thigh, midway between the hip and knee joints (on
the front of the thigh halfway between the hip joint,
where the leg bends when the knee is lifted, and the
middle of the knee cap). The leg should be straight and
relaxed.

Using BODY DENSITY EQUATIONS (JACKSON &

POLLOCK) to calculate % Bodyfat

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FEMALE BD = 1.1470292 - 0.0009376 (X3) + 0.0000030 (X3)2 - 0.0001156 (X4) - 0.0005839 (X5)
Where
X3 = sum of triceps, thigh and suprailliac skinfolds in mm
X4 = age in years
X5 = gluteal circumference in cm
Calculate the Female % Body Fat using THE SIRI EQUATION FAT% = [(4.95/BD) -4.5] x100

5 MAXIMUM DESIRABLE FAT PERCENTAGE - PREFERRED LEVELS AND NORMALITY

5.1 MALE SUBJECTS

UPTO24YEARS 5% The levels recommended are based on a population survey of 9000 individuals
25-27YEARS 17% performed by Durnin et al (1985), as well as the consensus of previous opinion
(Katch & McArdle (1973); Durnin & Rahaman (1967); and Royal College of
28-29YEARS 18%
Physicians (1983). The maximum levels are age and sex dependent, reflecting
30-32YEARS 19%
an increased risk of morbidity and heart disease in males if they are fat and
33-39 YEARS 20%
young Van Itallie (1979), but allowing for a greater fat mass (25%) as the age
OVER 4OYEAS 21% of men increases to 40 years and beyond. A more preferable level would be 4
MAXIMUM PREFERRED OR
DESIRABLE FATNESS LEVELS FOR AGES to 5% lower (i.e. 20%). Younger men of less than 20 should have a preferred
value of 15% or lower and there is a sliding scale of maximum fatness from the
early twenties to forties and beyond.

5.2 FEMALE SUBJECTS

The average fat content for females is between 24 and 26%, dependent upon
UPTO2OYEARS 17%
country of residence, although from a health point of view, a maximum
20-22 YEARS 18%
desirable level of 30% (young) and 35% (older), may pose no threat. This level
23-25YEARS 19%
of moderate obesity would not satisfy the desirable shape or quirks of
25-29 YEARS 20% contemporary fashion. The fashion model type of body composition reflects a
OVER 30 YEARS 22% fat percentage of 15% or less, female gymnasts as low as 8% and distance
MAXIMUM PREFERRED OR
DESIRABLE FATNESS LEVELS FOR AGES runners down to 6%. The maximum desirable level suggested is based on the
work of Katch & McArdle (1973), Pollock et al (1975) and Brown & Jones
(1977) and is 25% for women of 30 years and over, but starts at 20% for those
less than 20 years old. Again there is a sliding scale reflecting advancing years
and a reduction in health risk. Contemporary fashion would indicate a preferred
female level of perhaps 3% lower than these values.

6 LIMIT OF LIABILITY

All information of a medical nature contained in this manual is based upon the documents cited in the Bibliography and is
offered in good faith for convenience of the user. The manufacturer or supplier of this instrument does not however accept
any liability for conclusions drawn, diagnosis, estimates of state of health, treatments or any other medical assessment
whatsoever based upon the measurements taken using this instrument.
The certification of this instrument will be void if the instrument is dismantled, reassembled or altered in any way by anyone
other than by FitnessASSIST or those agents who have specific approval for recalibration.
FitnessASSIST reserves the right to change the information in this document without notice in line with the policy of continued
product improvement and development. The information contained in this document is considered to be correct at the time of
printing. It is supplied without liability for errors or omissions.

7 TECHNICAL INFORMATION

RANGE 80.00mm RESOLUTION 0.20mm REPEATABILITY 0.20mm ACCURACY 99.00%

NOTE Resolution is defined as the minimum graduation of the instrument and is not the same as the expected accuracy.

The Harpenden Skinfold Caliper is CE marked in compliance with the Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC for a Class 1
Device with Measuring Function and is Calibrated up to 80.00mm range using masters traceable to national standards.

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 The FitnessASSIST Harpenden Caliper
8 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

Keep the Caliper clean using a lint free cloth and ensure that they are stored in dry conditions to prevent corrosion.
Do not use any spirit based cleaner on the Caliper as this may cause damage to the plastic materials.
If the Caliper is dropped, damaged or fails to maintain repeatability, please return it to the address below or to our accredited
agent from whom you originally purchased the Caliper.
To ensure that the Caliper functions correctly, it should be periodically calibrated in accordance with the requirements of the
establishment where it is to be used.
Cleaning materials containing spirit or alcohol should not be used on this instrument.

9 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brown. W.J. & P.R. M. Jones (1977). The distribution of body fat in relation to physical activity. Ann Humm. Biol. 4,537-550

Brozek. J. &A. Keys (1951). Br. Nutr. 5,194

Durnin. J.VG.A. F.C. Mckay and C. 1. Webster (1 985). A new method of assessing fatness and desirable weight, for use in
the Armed Services Army Department, Ministry of Defence.

Durnin. J.V.G.A. and M.M. Rahaman (1967). The assessment of the amount of fat in he human body from the measurement
of Skinfold Thickness. Br. J. Nutr 21, 681-688

Durnin. J.VG.A. andJ. Wormersley (1974). Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from Skinfold
Thickness. Measurement on 381 men and women aged 16 to 72 years. Br. J. Nutr 32, 77-92

Katch F!. & W.D. McArdle (1973). Prediction of body density from simple anthropometric measurements in college-age men
and women.Hum. Biol. 45 445-454

Royal College of Physicians (1983). Obesity. J. Roy. Col. Phys of Lon. 1 7:1, 1-58

Sin. W.E. (1956). The gross composition of the Body. Adv. Biol. Med. Phys. 4, 239-280 Van Itallie T.B. (1979) Obesity:
Adverse effects on health and longevity. Am J. Clin. Nutr.32, 2723-2733

Wilmore J.H. & A.R. Behnke (1968). Predictability of lean body weight through anthropometric assessment in college men. J.
Appi. Physiol. 25, 349-355

Katch Fl. &W.D. McArdle (1977). Nutrition, Weight Control and Exercise. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.

J.M. Tanner. The measurement of body fat in man. Brit. Nutr. Soc., 18, 148. 1959

For more tools and resources visit:

www.fitnessassist.co.uk/skinfoldmeasurementkit

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TABLE 1: TABLE 2:
BODY FAT % VERSUS SKINFOLD THICKNES - MALE SUBJECTS BODY FAT % VERSUS SKINFOLD THICKNESS - FEMALE SUBJECTS

SKINFOLD AGE SKINFOLD AGE

THICKNESS 17-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ THICKNESS 17-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+
10mm 0.41 0.04 5.05 3.30 2.63 10mm 5.34 4.88 8.72 11.71 12.88
12mm 2.46 2.1 6.86 5.61 5.20 12mm 7.60 7.27 10.85 13.81 15.10
14mm 4.21 3.85 8.40 7.58 7.39 14mm 9.53 9.30 12.68 15.59 16.99
16mm 5.74 5.38 9.74 9.31 9.31 16mm 11.21 11.08 14.27 17.15 18.65
18mm 7.10 6.74 10.93 10.84 11.02 18mm 12.71 12.66 15.68 18.54 20.11
20mm 8.32 7.96 12.00 12.22 12.55 20mm 14.05 14.08 16.95 19.78 21.44
22mm 9.43 9.07 12.98 13.47 13.95 22mm 15.28 15.36 18.10 20.92 22.64
24mm 10.45 10.09 13.87 14.62 15.23 24mm 16.40 16.57 19.16 21.95 23.74
26mm 11.39 11.03 14.69 15.68 16.42 26mm 17.44 17.67 20.14 22.91 24.76
28mm 12.26 11.91 15.46 16.67 17.53 28mm 18.40 18.69 21.05 23.80 25.71
30mm 13.07 12.73 16.17 17.60 18.56 30mm 19.30 19.64 21.90 24.64 26.59
32mm 13.84 13.49 16.84 18.47 19.53 32mm 20.15 20.54 22.70 25.42 27.42
34mm 14.56 14.22 17.47 19.28 20.44 34mm 20.95 21.39 23.45 26.16 28.21
36mm 15.25 14.90 18.07 20.06 21.31 36mm 21.71 22.19 24.16 26.85 28.95
38mm 15.89 15.55 18.63 20.79 22.13 38mm 22.42 22.95 24.84 27.51 29.65
40mm 16.51 16.17 19.17 21.49 22.92 40mm 23.10 23.67 25.48 28.14 30.32
42mm 17.10 16.76 19.69 22.16 23.66 42mm 23.76 24.36 26.09 28.74 30.96
44mm 17.66 17.32 20.18 22.80 24.38 44mm 24.38 25.02 26.68 29.32 31.57
46mm 18.20 17.86 20.65 23.41 25.06 46mm 24.97 25.65 27.24 29.87 32.15
48mm 18.71 18.37 21.10 24.00 25.72 48mm 25.54 26.26 27.78 30.39 32.71
50mm 19.21 18.87 21.53 24.56 26.35 50mm 26.09 26.84 28.30 30.90 33.25
52mm 19.69 19.35 21.95 25.10 26.96 52mm 26.62 27.40 28.79 31.39 33.77
54mm 20.15 19.81 22.35 25.63 27.55 54mm 27.13 27.94 29.27 31.86 34.27
56mm 20.59 20.26 20.73 26.13 28.11 56mm 27.63 28. 7 29.74 32.31 34.75
58mm 21.02 20.69 23.11 26.62 28.66 58mm 28.10 28.97 30.19 32.75 35.22
60mm 21.44 21.11 23.47 27.09 29.20 60mm 28.57 29.46 30.62 33.17 35.67
62mm 21.84 21.51 23.82 27.55 29.71 62mm 29.01 29.94 31.04 33.58 36.11
64mm 22.23 21.90 24.16 28.00 30.21 64mm 29.45 30.40 31.45 33.98 36.53
66mm 22.61 22.28 24.49 28.43 30.70 66mm 29.87 30.84 31.84 34.37 36.95
68mm 22.98 22.65 24.81 28.85 31.17 68mm 30.28 31.28 32.23 34.75 37.35
70mm 23.34 23.01 25.13 29.26 31.63 70mm 30.67 31.70 32.60 35.11 37.74
72mm 23.69 23.36 25.43 29.66 32.07 72mm 31.06 32.11 32.97 35.47 38.12
74mm 24.03 23.70 25.73 30.04 32.51 74mm 31.44 32.51 33.32 35.82 38.49
76mm 24.36 24.03 26.01 30.42 32.93 76mm 31.81 32.91 33.67 36.15 38.85
78mm 24.68 24.36 26.30 30.79 33.35 78mm 32.17 33.29 34.00 36.48 39.20
80mm 25.00 24.67 26.57 31.15 33.75 80mm 32.52 33.66 34.33 36.81 39.54

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 Skinfold Data Collection Sheet

Client Name
Reference Number Date
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yy) Age
Temperature/Humidity Barometric Pressure
Height (cm) Gender Male Female
Weight (kg) Weight (st/lbs) st lbs
Circumferences (cm)
Head Maximum Forearm
Torso at Nipple Height Wrist
Torso at Umbilicus Gluteal Furrow
Torso at Hip Maximum Thigh
Maximum Upper Arm Maximum Calf
3 site method Skinfold Measurements
Male Female
Chest (mm) Triceps (mm)
Abdomen (mm) Suprailiac (mm)
Thigh (mm) Thigh
Waist circumference (cm) Gluteal circumference (cm)
Forearm circumference (cm)
4 site method Skinfold Measurements (mm)
Male / Female
Triceps
Biceps
Subscapular
Suprailiac
1 site methods Skinfold Measurements (mm)
Method 1 - Slim Guide Method 2 - Accu-Measure
Triceps Suprailiac
2 site method Skinfold Measurements (mm)
Triceps
Subscapular

Test Conducted by:

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